While I was in college, it seem harder to find series that I could connect with. I had required reading for my English courses and this allowed me to experience new authors - the idea of the canon was introduced to me. It was a great educational experience. But reading books, and then dissecting what has been read, can put a damper on a reading life.

What does one do to reignite a reader? For me, it was Twilight that resusciatated my reading love.

I know. I know. I KNOW!

It was an easy read, and met my basic needs - romance, confusion, and something new for me - paranormal characters.

I began looking for more books like Twilight. I could consume them easily amidst the chaos in my life, put them down and easily pick up where I had left off.

As you see above - 2012 my reading picked up. I was able to find more and more young adult series and novels that I could connect with. I was a born again 16 year old, and it was incredible to feel that angsty once more and not actually be experiencing that in my real life.

The ability to easily access a Kindle and Kindle app have increased my ability to read anywhere and anytime. This past year, I've made more Kindle book purchases than ever. I tend to stalk the Kindle Daily Deal and see if anything meets my interests.

I also utilize Goodreads as a means of finding books I may find interesting. I follow reviewers who may specialize in young adult books or chick lit. While I am reading one book, I make plans for my next read. It's a fun game now - how to find my next favorite book!

And seriously, checking out e-books via the public library is pretty rad. I can have them sent to my Kindle app and they are FREE to borrow!!! Brillant. I'll admit dear husband taught me about Overdrive, but once I figured that out, I found I could check out books with both my Kindle and Overdrive apps. I'm in book checkout heaven.

Ah books! They bring me such happiness. I try to share this joy with my kids, with other people's kids at my librarian job, with friends, with myself, with my love.

Current book reads:

After reading several young adult and new adult novels, I found that I needed to reach out to the grown up world. Defending Jacob was a good choice. I'm a fan of murder mystery with some courtroom drama thrown in for good measure. This books falls into the realm of John Grisham books for me. I'm more than half way through it, and eager to find out how it ends.

I am intrigued with this social experiment in dating. I can't stop reading, and I'd like for them to have the fairytale ending - I just don't know. The graphic design from these two is also pretty amazing. They are both creative. If the dating aspect doesn't interest you, then check out the cool graphic design.

08/06/2013

I've been on so many diets. On the left, you have me after having twins. I had to snap a picture because I was determined to get back into shape. I needed to see progress, even if it was only a little bit at a time. My health (and unhealthy) habits have been wildly evolving.

Making good food choices on a daily basis is not something I was born to do. I am the product of conveinence food generation: Kool-aid, Top Ramen,Cheetos, canned veggies, and I could go on and on. I am healthy because I want to to feel good about myself. I want to like what I see in the mirror on a daily basis, though it is not perfect, it is a cared for and exercised me. One ready to face the challenges of the day, a me ready to give it my all. Because for me, the best me is a healthy me.

It was finally Weight Watchers that taught me more about my relationship with food. I joined Weight Watchers after the first kid and immediately saw results. Every time I had a kid I'd join Weight Watchers and lose 30, then it was time to have another kid. I wouldn't lose as much weight as I could because I knew I'd just be eating for two soon enough.

Well, the shop is closed. And now I only eat for me, and do my best to make healthy food for my family.

I am perpetually trying to get to this magic number on the scale. I don't rely on the scale as much, but I can't seem to get to that number. I don't know if it's the mythical "holy grail" of weight lost or the fountain of fat loss- but I haven't been able to achieve the magical number on the scale.

Yet, I am happy with where I am now. I am embracing that. I am at a good weight, I feel good, I can wear the clothes I like to wear. I don't care that they aren't a size zero or two - that's not me, that has never been me.

I care about continuing to be healthy. And if nothing else, Weight Watchers as taught me to examine my intake and the quality of what goes into my body.

I am no longer a WW member, I couldn't get to the magical number to be a lifetime member and had to stop paying. Getting to meetings was getting challenging with my run schedule and all the kids. I plateaued big time. So close, but not in the right range to become a lifetime member. I didn't meet with WW leaders to discuss my numbers, maybe they would have accepted that the weight I was at was the right one.

Now I am trying to live a lifestyle that allows me to eat without the constant need to track. This past May I tried living a Paleo lifestyle. I lost about 9 pounds in a few months. And I wasn't tracking. I'm not 100% Paleo. I have sugar every now and then, but I am more choosey about my sugars. Intead of several donuts after a run, I choose dark chocolate covered almonds now. It's these types of choices that seem to be making a difference.

I am trying to lead a Paleo lifestyle. I'm still trying to find the best way to balance my foodie tendencies, my need for running fuel, and over all well-being.

Some useful and beginners tools I've found helpful in making this transition to Paleo eating are:

08/01/2013

I am not new at this blogging thing. Its never been a business for me, just a hobby. A hobby I've been inconsistent about. A hobby I've learned more about as I continue to it. A hobby that I had to step away from because real life called. (FYI - I'm a serial hobbiest.)

I'm here to give this a try again. To try to be myself. To try to do this for myself. To try to understand myself. Writing has always helped me to reflect. I have been neglecting reflecting on life. I far to often play my "I'm busy" card. When in reality, I might just be checking Facebook for the 100th time. (Guilty!)

I'm getting better at planning. Slowly. Trusting that I will be here for far longer than I had ever thought. That while I may encounter some freak accident or other awfulness, I still plan to live for the long haul. My new goal now is to live to be a centarian. What will I look back on if I ever reach this goal? Maintaining a consistent blog would be a great way to see the path I carved.

I am a 37 year old mom to four lovely little ones, who are cute and wonderul, yet also manage to grey my hair at an alarming rate (and might be trying to mess up my centarian goal). My husband is very busy with his lawyering stuff. I whined and complained when he first started four years ago, I am learning to cope with his busy schedule. Part of my evolution.

I'm here to write. To reflect. To examine my life so that I can understand where I have been, where I am, and where I would like to go. To truly see all the wonderful things in the life around even though I may be covered in poop or the boys pee all over the toilet seat or one room of our house is filled with boxes. There is still beauty there.